What is the Cost of a DUI? To the offender, to the victim and the victim’s family? We are joined by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

Join us Saturday at 3pm for the Ask Steve radio program on NewsRadio KFBK 1530AM when we address the very important topic of drunk driving this holiday season. Stephen will share a very personal story and be joined by local MADD spokesperson, Rhonda Campbell, on the program. Rhonda is a vocal advocate and volunteer for the Sacramento chapter after losing her sister to a drunk driver in 1981 at the age of 12.

There are many statistics describing the chronic problem of drunk driving in the U.S. but what is the real impact on the victims and the victim’s loved ones?

• Every two minutes someone is injured in a drunk driving crash
• In 2015, 10,265 people died in drunk driving crashes – one every 51 minutes – and 290,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes
• In fatal crashes in 2014, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (30 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (29 percent) and 35 to 44 (24 percent)
• Over 1.1 million drivers were arrested in 2014 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Do we in California now face an even higher rate of DUI’s given that Marijuana use has been legalized? Is law enforcement really prepared to handle it? MADD is also on a mission to help prevent drugged driving as well. Drugged driving is not only defined by illegal or illicit drugs but over-the-counter and prescribed medications as well as medicinal and legal marijuana use while operating a vehicle.

Before you head out to celebrate the holidays, make sure and have a plan on how to get home safely. Be responsible. Use the tools that are there like a cab, Uber, and Lyft, free towing services during the holidays or a reliable designated driver.

If you’ve been a victim of a drunk driving crash, please feel free to call Stephen at United Law Center, 916/367-0622, or MADD’s 24-hour hotline, 877/MADD-HELP.

Join us each Saturday on 1530AM NewsTalk KFBK for the Ask Steve Show from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Past show podcasts are available here.

Dangers of not having a family attorney and representing yourself in court

What Does a Family Law Attorney Do?

A growing number of debtors are attempting to file bankruptcy pro se, or representing themselves in Bankruptcy court. Bankruptcy court is incredibly complicated and the only way to navigate it properly is to have an attorney to help you navigate it. The damage can be irreparable if a Bankruptcy not handled properly from the start. Join us to learn more about the consequences of self-representation in Bankruptcy and why having a trusted attorney, or family attorney, on your side before you need legal help is critical. Join us Saturday at 3pm for the Ask Steve radio program on NewsRadio KFBK 1530AM when we discuss the importance of having a family attorney, particularly in the instance of bankruptcy representation. This week, Stephen’s new tips series began running on KQCA-TV at 7:30 a.m. each weekday morning. These weekly topics will extend into the radio show where we are able to explore them in more depth.

Join us each Saturday on 1530AM NewsTalk KFBK for the Ask Steve Show from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Past show podcasts are available here.

Next week, we will discuss some shocking cases of unusual car accidents and what to do if you find yourself in a crash.

Helpful tips on how to get out of debt in light of interest rate hikes and hey, did the Wall Street ratings agency, Moody’s, finally get punished?

Join Attorney Stephen Foondos from the United Law Center this and every Saturday from 3-4:00 p.m. for the Ask Steve radio program on NewsRadio KFBK 1530AM when we discuss the why it’s so important to take steps to get out of debt NOW, before interest rate hikes impact your mortgage, credit card debt and make your financial life more challenging. Also, big news about ongoing investigations into the mortgage crisis from the mid-2000s – ratings giant Moody’s was finally punished! And, don’t miss Stephen’s new legal challenge series that began running on KQCA-MY58 TV at 7:30 a.m. each weekday morning this month. These weekly topics will extend into the radio show where we explore them in more depth. This week’s show will cover:

Get out of debt! Sounds simple, right? No, we know it’s not so easy, but it’s important given the uncertain political climate and major transition happening in our country. Interest rates just were raised and are expected to go up again, up to THREE TIMES in 2017. The sooner you manage your debt, the better off you are to be ready for a rainy day. Check out this list of easy tips to get started. Think Bankruptcy may be something you should consider? We are here to help. Please call us for a free consultation.

If you saw the movie The Big Short, you may remember a scene when Mark Baum (played by Steve Carell) visits a Standard and Poor’s rating representative to ask about their ratings policies for mortgage-backed securities and is informed that if they don’t provide a AAA rating on junk mortgage, their clients will go to Moody’s for a top rating, claiming it’s just “…how the world works”. This week one of the major ratings agencies was finally brought to justice by Acting California Attorney General Kathleen A. Kenealy, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general of 20 other states and the District of Columbia. Last Saturday, they announced an $863.8 million settlement with Moody’s Corporation (Moody’s), a business and financial services company, to resolve federal and state civil claims related to the company’s misconduct in inflating ratings of residential mortgage-backed securities. California will receive $150 million of the total settlement which will recover losses sustained by CalPERS and the CalSTRS on their investments…but still no real relief to homeowners.

Join us each Saturday on 1530AM NewsTalk KFBK for the Ask Steve Show from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Past show podcasts are available here. Next week, we will discuss questions from our audience about Bankruptcy and we will address more concerns about President-Elect Trump’s pick for Treasure Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, as he heads into his confirmation hearings later this month. Read up on him – get educated – and reach out to your Congressional and Senate representatives to share your opinion on ALL of the Cabinet nominees.